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Training Shoes?

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Last year, I started working out with a personal trainer. I lift weights, do a ton of body weight movements (squats, lunges, etc) and do some cardio type movements (quick steps, jumping jacks, mountain climbers). I've just been wearing regular running shoes, which are for the most part fine. Mine however are a bit clunky and chunky, so they make some of the cardio movements a bit awkward.

I've been trying on some true "training" sneakers, and like how light weight and slim profile they are compared to the running shoes. however, i wonder how they will feel with what i call "jumpy" movements, as there is not much cushioning in them. I understand that they are a bit flatter, for what i assume provides more stability for weight lifting. But they seem kind of "hard" and i'm not sure how that works with cardio movements.

i have large feet, so I've been having to order all of them on line, and haven't really gotten a professional opinion from an a sales person. (Stores never carry my size.)

Any one wear "training" sneakers with any input? Any models/brands you like?
They also seem to run a bit narrower than regular sneakers?

I wear running shoes for everything, and am not familiar with training shoes. I also like very roomy toe boxes in my sneakers, so I know what you mean about clunky and chunky. If I try to wear them while riding the stationary bike at the gym the shoes hit the cranks, so I end up having to wear an old pair of sneakers that were too narrow and uncomfortable for anything else for that.

My favorite brand is New Balance, and I've always found that I can remove the insoles that come in the sneakers and replace them with something more comfortable. The goes for the insulated
snow sneakers that I bought from LL Bean as well as the too-narrow Nike sneakers I wear for indoor cycling. So you would probably be able to do the same thing with training shoes. If they're narrower than regular sneakers, you might not have much room in them for a thicker insole, but then again it might work out.

FWIW, my current insoles are Sole Active insoles. They give good rigid arch support, which is what I need. For everyday wear I use the medium thickness and they are reasonably comfortable. For my road bike shoes I wear the thin version. They don't look much different from the medium ones but are noticeably less cushioned when I wear them. Sole also makes and Active thick insole, which I haven't tried yet, but given the difference between thin and medium I would expect them to be more cushioned. (They also make a variety of other insoles; I'm about to order the new Active thin with met pad, which has cork on the bottom. I've heard the cork does not wear well, but am curious to see if it makes the insoles more comfortable. And I want to try the metatarsal pad.)

NY, Which New Balance model do you wear? I am currently wearing the 1260's. I don't have a particularly wide foot, but I think i do need room in the toe box which the 1260's provide. Nike's do run a bit more narrow, IMO.

I think the idea behind training shoes is that they are lower profile, and give more stability when lifting. Honestly, I'm not lifting anything that serious, that my running shoes don't suffice. But, sometimes i feel like I'm tripping over my own feet in these clunky, yet comfortable New Balances. New Balance does have training specific sneakers but they feel a little tight in the toe box. The training sneakers also feel really stiff, with little cushioning. I'm thinking I might just try to get some slimmer running shoes.
I'm good in the insole department. I have some SuperFeet for my cycling shoes, and the NB insoles are just right for me.

I don't really do much of that type of training, but I was wondering about a similar type of shoe recently when I took up dance (jazz) classes again. I actually went and bought "dance sneakers" that were both stable, flexible and lightweight, but I ended up using my old Nike Free 3.0. Possibly not stable enough for heavy weight lifting, but certainly flexible and narrow enough for tight moves without stumbling.
I stopped worrying about cushioning after I started running with a midfoot/forefoot strike, with minimalist shoes. It took a little getting used to, but now my calves are strong enough that landing on my forefoot with very little cushioning is not a problem. Mind you, I don't do long distances, but they're fine for say, 6 miles. I would guess that for your cardio moves you rarely land on your heel anyway?

Winter riding is much less about badassery and much more about bundle-uppery. - malkin

You should definitely consider wearing the right kind of shoes for the type of exercise you are indulging in. Running shoes are designed to provide cushioning from the sudden jerks the joints face repeatedly as a result of repeated motion.

Training shoes on the other hand are designed to stabilize your body's centre of gravity so that your spine and legs are aligned while lifting weights. It is wrong to assume that one type of shoe will foster to every need. The wrong combination of shoe and physical activity can put sudden and extreme strain on your ankles and feet - the achilles tendon and the plantar fascia.